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When baseball started
As you see in the picture, a young man by the name of Horace wilson introduced baseball to Japan in 1867. No pro leagues had been formed yet but he's the first to give them the idea. -
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History of Japanese Baseball
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First international game
The first international game of baseball for japan was played. The Ichiko team beat the American team they were playing by a score of 29 to 4 -
First High School National Championship
In 1915, the first championship for high school baseball most commonly known as Summer Koshien was held. To the Japanese people high school baseballl is more important than professional baseball and this tradition will be in its 100th year this year -
First pro team
The first ever pro team ever made in Japan was in 1920, but folded very soon because of financial burdens. This opened the door though to new teams and leagues forming. -
League Founded
The first professional baseball league was founded in 1936. This lead to the creation of many more leagues to come and a wave of new players that wanted to join. -
NPB founded
In 1949 the Nippon Professional Baseball League or NPB was founded. It includes 12 teams and is eaisly the biggest league in Japan and the most famous. It's the top level of competetion and the best team is the Yomuri Giants -
First MLB Player from Japan
Masonori Murakami became the first Japanese born baseball player to everplay in the MLB. He threw one inning in his debut with the San Fransisco Giants and opened the pathways for many greats from Japan to come to the MLB. -
The God
On this date the best player from Japan and argueably one of the best player in MLB history was born, and his name is Ichiro Suziki. Ichiro currently plays for the Miami Marlins and is in his 18th season in the MLB. -
Olympic Gold
The Olympic national team has won three gold medals in their time. Their most notable one was in 1984 when they beat the USA 6 to 3 -
LLWS Success
Japan has ruled the Little League World Series for as long as baseball has been around. They hold 5 titles and are in the LLWS almost every year. Their most notable title is from 2013